Hollinshead, who was a “Y” secretary far up on the Dvina River in the
long, cold, desperate winter, also caught the vision of the needs of
the Russian people who had been Rasputinized and Leninized out of the
faith of their fathers and were pitifully like sheep without a
shepherd. He remarked to the writer that when the Bolshevist nightmare
is over in Russia, he would like to go back over there and help them to
revive what was vital and essential in their old faith and to improve
it by showing them the American way of combining cleanliness with
godliness, education with creed-holding, work with piety.
Can the Russians be educated? The soldiers know that many a veteran
comrade of theirs in the war was an Americanized citizen. He had in a
very few years in America gained a fine education. The general reader
of this page may look about him and discover examples for himself. Last
winter in a little church in Michigan the writer found the people
subscribing to the support of a citizen of the city who, a Russian by
birth, came to this country to find work and opportunity. He was drawn
into the so-called mission church in the foreign settlement of the
city, learned to speak and read English, caught a desire for education,
is well-educated and now with his American bride goes to Russia on a
Christian mission, to labor for the improvement of his own nation. He
is to be supported by that little congregation of American people who
have a vision of the kind of help Russia needs from our people.
Another story may be told. When the writer saw her first in Russia, she
was the centre of interest on the little community entertainment hall
dance floor. She had the manner of a lady trying to make everyone at
ease. American soldiers and Russian soldiers and civil populace had
gathered at the hall for a long program—a Russian drama, soldier
stunts, a raffle, a dance which consisted of simple ballet and folk
dances. The proceeds of the entertainment were to go toward furnishing
bed linen, etc., for the Red Cross Hospital being organized by the
school superintendent and his friends for the service of many wounded
men who were falling in the defense of their area.
She was trim of figure and animated of countenance. Her hair was
dressed as American women attractively do theirs. Her costume was
dainty and her feet shod in English or American shoes. We could not
understand a word of her Russian tongue but were charmed by its
friendly and well-mannered modulations. We made inquiries about her.
She was the wife of a man who, till the Bolsheviki drove the
“intelligenza” out, had been a professor in an agricultural school of a
high order. Now they were far north, seeking safety in their old
peasant city and she was doing stenographer duty in the county
government office.
We often mused upon the transformation. Only a few years before she had
been as one of the countless peasant girls of the dull-faced,
ill-dressed, red-handed, coarse-voiced type which we had seen
everywhere with tools and implements of drudgery, never with things of
refinement, except, perhaps, when we had seen them spinning or weaving.
And here before us was one who had come out from among them, a sight
for weary eyes and a gladness to heavy ears. How had she accomplished
the metamorphosis? The school had done it, or rather helped her to the
opportunity to rise. She had come to the city-village high school and
completed the course and then with her ability to patter the keys of a
Russian typewriter’s thirty-six lettered keyboard, had travelled from
Archangel to Moscow, to Petrograd, to Paris, to complete her education.
And she told the writer one time that she regretted she had not gone to
London and New York before she married the young Russian college
professor.
The school,—the common school and the high school—therein lies the hope
of Russia. What that woman has done, has been done by many another
ambitious Russian girl and will be done by many girls of Russia.
Russian boys and girls if given the advantages of the public school
will develop the Russian nation.
XXXV
“DOBRA” CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL
Description Of Hospital Building—Grateful Memories—Summary Of Medical
And Surgical Cases—Feeding The Convalescents—Care And
Entertainment—Captain Greenleaf Fine Manager.
The American Convalescent Hospital at Archangel, Russia (American
Expeditionary Forces, North Russia), was opened October 1, 1918, in a
building formerly used as a Naval School of Merchant Sailors. A two and
one-half story building, facing the Dvina River and surrounded by about
two acres of land, over one-half of which was covered with an
attractive growth of white birch trees. The entire building, with the
exception of one room, Chief Surgeon’s Office, and two smaller rooms,
for personnel of the Chief Surgeon’s Office and the Convalescent
Hospital, was devoted to the American convalescent patients and their
care. The half story, eighty-five by eighty-five feet square, over the
main building, was used for drying clothes and as a store room. The
building proper was of wood construction, with two wings (one story)
constructed with 24-inch brick and plaster walls. The floors were wood,
the walls smoothly plastered and the general appearance, inside and
outside, attractive.
In addition to the inside latrines, an outside latrine with five seats
and a urinal was built by our men. This latrine contained a heater.
Nearly all the windows, throughout the building, were double sash and
glass and could be opened for sufficient air, dependent upon the
outside temperature. The first floor ceilings were fourteen feet in
height, those on the second floor were twelve feet high. No patient had
less than six hundred cubic feet of air space.
Large brick stoves, one in the smaller and two in the larger rooms,
heavily constructed and lined with fire brick, heated the building. A
wood fire was built in these stoves twice daily, with sufficient heat
being thrown off to produce a comfortable, uniform temperature at all
times. The building was lighted by electricity. The entire building was
rewired by American electricians and extra lights placed as necessary.
The beds were wooden frame with heavy canvas support. These beds were
made by American carpenters. Each patient was supplied with five
blankets.
During the first four months it was necessary for the men to use a
near-by Russian bath-house for bathing. This was done weekly and a
check kept upon the patients. February 1st, 1919, a wing was completed
with a Thresh Disinfector (for blankets and clothing), a wash room and
three showers. A large boiler furnished hot water at all hours. The
construction of this building was begun November 1st, 1918, but
inability to obtain a boiler and plumbing materials deferred its
completion. Three women were employed for washing and ironing, and
clean clothing was available at all times.
Water buckets were located on shelves in accessible places throughout
the building for use in case of fire. Each floor had a hose attachment.
Two fires from overheated stoves were successfully extinguished without
injury to patients or material damage to the building. The main floors
were scrubbed daily with a two per cent creosole solution, the entire
floor space every other day. All rooms contained sufficient box
cuspidors filled with sawdust.
The kitchen contained a large brick stove and ovens and this, in
conjunction with a smaller stove on the second floor, could be utilized
to prepare food for three hundred men. Bartering with the Russians was
permitted. By this means, as well as comforts supplied by the American
Red Cross, such as cocoa, chocolate, raisins, condensed milk, honey,
sugar, fruit (dried and canned), oatmeal, corn meal, rice, dates and
egg powder, a well balanced diet was maintained throughout the winter.
Semi-monthly reports of all exchanges, by bartering, were forwarded to
Headquarters. The usual mess kits and mess line were employed. The
large dining and recreation room had sufficient tables and benches to
seat all patients. Boiled drinking water was accessible at all times.
During the eight months the Hospital has been operating, over 3,872
pounds of grease, 2,138 pounds of bones and 8,460 pounds of broken and
stale bread have been bartered with Russian peasants. In return,
besides eggs, fish, veal and other vegetables over 32,600 pounds (902
poods) of potatoes have been received. Accompanying this report is a
statement _(a)_ of British rations (one week issue), _(b) _a statement
of food barter (17 days) and _(c)_ the menu for one week.
The large room, facing the river, twenty-eight feet by sixty-one feet,
was available for mess hall, recreation and entertainments. The space,
twenty-eight feet by twenty-one feet, was separated by a projecting
wall and pillars and contained a victrola and records, a piano, a
library (one hundred fifty books furnished by the American Red Cross,
exchanged at intervals), a magazine rack, reading table, machine guns
and rack, a bulletin board and several comfortable chairs made by
convalescents. A portable stage for entertainments was placed in this
space when required. A complete set of scenery with flies and curtains
was presented by the American Red Cross. In the center of the room a
regulation boxing ring could be strung, the benches and tables being so
arranged as to form an amphitheatre. The entire room could be cleared
for dancing. At one end was a movie screen and in the adjoining room a
No. 6 Powers movie machine which was obtained from the American Y. M.
C. A. and installed December 5th, 1918.
During the winter the following entertainments were given:
Vaudeville 5 Boxing exhibitions 4 Lectures 4 Minstrel
shows 2 Dances 10 Musical entertainments 6 Russian 3
English 2 Band concert 1 Kangaroo court 1
A twelve-piece orchestra from the 339th Infantry band furnished music
for the dances as well as occasionally during Sunday dinners. Each
Wednesday and Sunday nights moving pictures were shown. These included
a number of war films showing operations on the Western Front and
productions of Fairbanks, Farnum, Billy Burke, Eltinge, Hart, Mary
Pickford, Kerrigan, Arbuckle, Bunny and Chaplin. During May baseballs,
gloves and bats have been supplied by the American Y. M. C. A. Sunday
afternoons religious services were conducted by chaplains of the
American Force.
Canteen supplies, consisting of chocolate, stick candy, gum, cigars,
cigarettes, smoking and chewing tobacco, toilet soap, tooth paste,
canned fruits (pineapple, pears, cherries, apricots, peaches) and
canned vegetables could be purchased from the Supply Company, 339th
Infantry. These supplies were drawn on the first of each month and
furnished the men at cost.
The personnel consisted of Capt. C. A. Greenleaf, Commanding Officer,
Medical Corps; an officer from the Supply Company, 339th Infantry
(charge of equipment); two Sergeants, Medical Corps; three Privates,
Medical Corps. With these exceptions all the details required for the
care and maintenance of the hospital were furnished by men selected
from the convalescent patients.
It took seventy-six men every day for the various kitchen, cleaning,
clerical and guard details and in addition other details from
convalescent patients were made as follows: Six patrols of ten men
each, each patrol in charge of a non-commissioned officer and three
sections of machine gunners were always prepared for an emergency.
Guards were furnished for Headquarters building. Two type-setters and
one proof-reader reported for work, daily, at the office of _The
American Sentinel_ (a weekly publication for the American troops).
Typists, stenographers and clerks were furnished different departments
at Headquarters as required. Orderlies, kitchen police and cooks were
furnished to the American Red Cross Hospital and helpers to American
Red Cross Headquarters. This was light work always which was conducive
to the convalescence of the men.
Captain Greenleaf always managed to care for all patients. On January
18th, 1919, a ward was opened at Olga Barracks which accommodated
twenty-five patients. These patients were rationed by Headquarters
Company and reported for sick call at the infirmary located in the same
building.
On March 11th, 1919, an Annex was opened at Smolny Barracks with eighty
beds. For this purpose a barracks formerly occupied by enlisted men was
remodelled. New floors were put in, the entire building sheathed on the
inside, rooms constructed for office and sick call and a kitchen in
which a new stove and ovens were built. This Annex was operated from
the Convalescent Hospital, one Sergeant, Medical Corps, and two
Privates, Medical Corps, were detailed to this building. Details from
the patients operated the mess and took care of the building. Supplies
were sent daily from the hospital to the Annex and the mess was of the
same character.
On April 28th, 1919, three tents were erected in the yard of the
Hospital. Plank floors were built, elevated on logs and these
accommodated thirty-six patients. On April 28th, 1919, with the
Hospital, Annex and tents two hundred eight-two patients could be
accommodated. This number represents the maximum Convalescent Hospital
capacity, during its existence and was sufficient for the requirements
of the American Forces. The ward at Olga Barracks was only used for a
few weeks.
During April eighty-two patients were discharged from the Convalescent
Hospital and sent to Smolny Barracks for “Temporary Light Duty at
Base.”
The Convalescent Hospital was the best place, bar none, in Russia, to
eat in winter of 1918-19. The commanding officer was fortunate to have
as a patient the mess sergeant of Company “D.” That resourceful
doughboy took the rations issued by the British and by systematic
bartering with the natives he built up a famous mess. Below is a
verbatim extract from Captain Greenleaf’s report.
BARTER RETURN _Period: 17 days—from March 27th, 1919, to April 14th.
1919_
COMMODITIES BARTERED
Bread, stale 372 lbs. Bread, pieces of 403
Grease 365 lbs. Bones 331 lbs. Beans 425 lbs. Peas
156 lbs. Rice 746 lbs. Dates 25 lbs. Bacon 678 lbs. Lard
960 lbs. Sugar 274 lbs. Jam 56 lbs. Pea Soup 318
pkgs. Limejuice 3 cases
COMMODITIES RECEIVED IN RETURN
Potatoes 5281 lbs. Carrots 133 lbs. Cabbage 339.5 lbs.
Turnips 851 lbs. Onions 200 lbs. Veal 938 lbs. Liver
76.5 lbs. Eggs 198
The menu for the week of April 20-26, inclusive, was as follows:
APRIL 20—SUNDAY BREAKFAST Boiled eggs Fried bacon Oatmeal and milk
Bread and butter Coffee.
DINNER Roast veal and gravy Mashed potatoes Sage dressing Stewed
tomatoes Apple pie Mixed pickles Bread and butter Coffee.
SUPPER Roast beef Potato salad Lemon cake Bread and jam Cocoa.
APRIL 21—MONDAY
BREAKFAST Oatmeal and milk Fried bacon Wheatcakes and syrup Bread and
jam Coffee.
DINNER Steaks Creamed potatoes Cabbage, fried Bread and butter Peach
pudding Coffee.
SUPPER Beef stew Fried cakes Bread and butter Tea.
APRIL 22—TUESDAY
BREAKFAST Oatmeal and milk Fried bacon Bread and jam Coffee.
DINNER Roast mutton Baked potatoes Mashed turnips Bread and butter
Chocolate pudding Coffee.
SUPPER Hamburger steak Boiled potatoes Stewed dates Bread and butter
Coffee.
APRIL 23—WEDNESDAY
BREAKFAST Oatmeal and milk Fried bacon Bread and jam Coffee.
DINNER Roast beef Mashed potatoes Creamed peas Bread and butter Bread
pudding Coffee.
SUPPER Mutton chops Boiled potatoes Bread and butter Chocolate cake
Coffee.
APRIL 24—THURSDAY
BREAKFAST Oatmeal and milk Fried bacon Bread and jam Coffee.
DINNER Roast beef Escalloped potatoes Baked turnips Bread and butter
Rice pudding Coffee.
SUPPER Mutton stew Rolls and jam Tea.
APRIL 25—FRIDAY
BREAKFAST Oatmeal and milk Fried bacon Wheatcakes and syrup Bread and
jam Coffee.
DINNER Steaks Boiled potatoes Creamed onions Bread and butter Fruit
pudding, cherry Coffee.
SUPPER Hamburger steak Boiled potatoes Stewed apricots Bread and butter
Coffee.
APRIL 26—SATURDAY
BREAKFAST Rice and milk Fried bacon Bread and butter Coffee.
DINNER Roast beef Creamed potatoes Baked beans Bread and butter
Chocolate pudding Coffee.
SUPPER Vegetable stew Stewed prunes Bread and butter Tea.
To the doughboy, who that week in April was eating his bully and
hardtack in the forest at Kurgomin or Khalmogora or Bolsheozerki or
Chekuevo or Verst 448, this menu seems like a fairy tale, but he knows
that the boys who had fought on the line and fallen before Bolo fire or
fallen ill with the hardship strain, were entitled to every dainty and
luxury that was afforded by the _dobra_ convalescent hospital.
From October 1st, 1918, to June 12th, 1919, this American Convalescent
Hospital served eleven hundred and eighty out of the fifty-five hundred
Americans of the expeditionary force. From Captain Greenleaf’s official
report the following facts of interest are presented.
Of infectious and epidemic diseases there were two hundred and
forty-six cases of which four were mumps, one hundred and sixty-seven
were influenza and the remainder complications which resulted from
influenza. The pneumonia cases developed early. One man reported from
guard duty, developed a rapidly involving pneumonia which soon became
general and culminated in death within twenty-four hours. The best
results followed the use of Dovers powder and quinine,—alternation two
and one-half grains of Dovers with five grains of quinine every two
hours, five to ten grains of Dovers being given at bedtime.
Expectorants were given as required. Very little stimulation was
necessary. Many of these cases, after the acute symptoms subsided,
showed a persistent tachycardia which continued for some days and in a
few cases (seven) became chronic. In these cases medication proved of
little benefit, rest and a proper diet being the most efficacious
treatment. Patients convalescing from pneumonia were evacuated to
England or given Base Duty.
Of tuberculosis there were only thirteen cases which were as far as
possible isolated. Of venereal cases there were only one hundred and
seventy-four. They had received treatment in British 53rd Stationary
Hospital, and came to the American Convalescent hospital simply for
re-equipment. Nearly all were immediately discharged to duty.
Of nervous diseases there were nineteen cases, all of which were
neuritis except two cases of paralysis. Of mental diseases and defects
there were only fourteen. This is a remarkable showing when we consider
the strain of the strange, long, dark winter campaign, and of these
fourteen cases six were mental deficiency that were not detected by the
experts at time of enlistment and induction, three were hysteria, two
neurasthenia, and three psychasthenia. Here let us add that there was
only one case of suicide and one case of attempted suicide.
There were eighteen eye cases and nineteen ear cases, three nose, and
eighteen of the throat. Of the circulatory system the total was
sixty-eight of which twenty-two were heart trouble and thirty-one
hemorrhoids brought on by exposure.
There were eighty respiratory cases, ninety-three digestive cases, of
which sixteen were appendicitis and thirty-two were hernia. Of
genito-urinary, which were non-venereal, there were twenty cases. Of
skin diseases there were thirty-nine. Scabies was the only skin lesion
which has been common among the troops. Warm baths and sulphur ointment
were used with excellent results.
From exposure there were one hundred and one cases of bones and
locomotion. Trench feet were bad to treat. From external causes there
were two hundred and fifty-five cases. Of these two were burns, two
dislocation, twenty-six severe frost bite cases, two exhaustion from
exposure, twenty-three fractures and sprains, and two hundred wound
cases. Many severely wounded were sent to Hospital ship “Kalyon,” and
many were evacuated to Base Section Three in England and only the
convalescent wounded, of course, came to the _dobra_ convalescent
hospital.
The following is Capt. Greenleaf’s summary:
Patients 1180 Hospital days, actual 17048 Hospital days, per
patient 14.45 Hospital days, awaiting evacuation 11196 Hospital
days, per patient 9.49 Hospital days, special duty 7273
Hospital days, per patient 6.16 Hospital days, total 35517
Hospital days, per patient 30.10
NOTE—This table is made out in this manner for several reasons. In the
first place evacuation lists were submitted to the Chief Surgeon each
Friday, containing a list of those patients who were unfit for further
front line duty in Russia. Lack of transportation and the long delays
in completing the evacuations should not be charged to actual hospital
days. Again it was necessary, under the conditions and owing to the
fact that the hospital was dependent upon patients for its existence,
that men be selected who were competent to have charge of certain work.
A most efficient mess sergeant and competent cooks were selected. The
men to have charge of the heating system and boilers were chosen. Good
interpreters were held. And many cases in which a competent man entered
as a patient, who was skillful in certain work, that man was held
indefinitely, for the good of the service and the hospital. In this
summary these cases have been listed as hospital days, special duty.
DISPOSITION OF PATIENTS IN AMERICAN CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL
EVACUATED TO ENGLAND
October 27, 1918 46 December 6, 1918 56 December 27, 1918
10 January 24, 1919 7 February 24, 1919 15 June 1, 1919
183 Total 317
DISCHARGED TO AMERICAN RED CROSS HOSPITAL For surgical attention 24
For medical attention 18
DISCHARGED TO BRITISH HOSPITALS For special treatment 13
DISCHARGED TO DUTY 808
The medical care of our comrades was as well-looked after as possibly
could be in North Russia. All patients were examined, when they entered
the hospital and classified. They were marked,—no duty, light duty
inside, light duty outside, light duty sitting, or light duty not
involving the use of right (or left) arm. A record, showing their
organization, company, rank, duty, diagnosis, date of admission, source
of admission, room and bed, was made. Their business in private life
was considered and they were assigned to work compatible with their
training. Any medication they might need was prescribed. Owing to lack
of bottles patients reported for medicine four times daily and a record
was thus kept of dosage. Patients were examined weekly and
re-classified. Sick call was held, daily, at 8:30 a. m., at which time
patients requiring special attention, reported and also, surgical
dressings were applied.
The last patient was discharged to duty June 12th, 1919. We know that
the one thousand one hundred and eighty men who passed through that
hospital join the writers in saying that, considering conditions, the
convalescent hospital was a wonder.
XXXVI
AMERICAN RED CROSS IN NORTH RUSSIA
American Red Cross On Errands Of Mercy Precede Troops—Summary Of Aid
Given People—Aid And Comforts Freely Given American
Troops—Summary—Commendatory Words Of General Richardson—Our Weekly
“Sentinel” Put Out By Red Cross—Returned Men Strong For American Red
Cross Work In North Russia.
Even before the question of American participation in the Allied
expedition to North Russia had been decided upon, the American Red
Cross had dispatched a mission of thirteen persons, with four thousand
two hundred tons of food and medicine, for the relief of the civilian
population. When, shortly thereafter, a considerable detachment of
American doughboys, engineers and ambulance corps troops were landed,
the Red Cross had the nucleus of an organization to provide for the
needs of our soldiers as well as for the civilian population.